Harrogate’s town centre is at a critical crossroads.

The town has an enviable reputation as a destination for beautiful scenery, good bars and restaurants and independent shops.

But many businesses in the town are struggling. Many were under pressure before coronavirus – the Stray Ferret has reported on several well-loved local businesses ceasing to trade.

So what do you think should be done to improve the town’s fortunes? We want as many people as possible to fill in what will be the most comprehensive survey of its kind on how you use Harrogate town centre and what you think can help revive its economy.

We would like to hear views not only from Harrogate residents but also people in nearby places such as Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Masham who use Harrogate for work and leisure.

Read more:

• Is the future of Harrogate town centre more homes, less shopping?
• Harrogate family pet shop to close after more than 50 years

The survey takes about 10 minutes and everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw with free gifts – a Stray Ferret umbrella or a 12 pack of special Stray Ferret beer brewed by Harrogate-based Roosters. You have to be over 18 to fill in the survey.

The survey results, which will be published on our website, will help shape the debate.

Click here to have your say on your town.

Ten more people in the Harrogate district have contracted coronavirus, according to the latest daily figure by Public Health England.

The figure takes the total number of cases in the district to 910.

Despite the increase, Harrogate was not among the places in North Yorkshire to be named as ‘areas of concern’ by Public Health England yesterday.

Read more:

• District MPs decline to comment on broken’ covid testing system
• North Yorkshire declares covid emergency

Everywhere covered by Selby District Council and Scarborough Borough Council were identified as areas of concern due to a rise in coronavirus cases.

North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a group of organisations that coordinates the county’s response to coronavirus, said this week it was concerned about rising infection rates in Harrogate.

But the town has so far been spared any extra measures amid rising concerns nationally about the increase in infections.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a spate of house burglaries in the Harrogate area in recent days.

The incidents occurred on Beckwith Road, Grove Street, Hutton Gate, Chatsworth Place and St John’s Road from Tuesday to Friday.

Burglars entered the homes through insecure doors and took car keys, house keys, a wallet and a handbag, which were within easy reach,

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incidents, including details about youths who have reportedly been going door-to-door trying for any insecure premises.

“If you have seen any suspicious vehicles or persons please contact the police.”

Police have urged people to keep their houses secure at night.

Read more:

• Harrogate police treatment centre reopens
• Police arrest man after incident in Harrogate Town centre

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Elizabeth Estensen . You can also email elizabethestensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200162246.

Mushroom burgers, non-dairy cheesecakes, carrot and ginger smoothies. A vegan cafe hidden away on the outskirts of the town centre is serving up much more than twigs and leaves.

Option Ve, 108 Mayfield Grove in Harrogate, has a fully vegan menu and, while it may not be for everyone, it is certainly drawing in customers from across the town and even the country.

It has not been the easiest start for owners Claire Beecroft and David Mitchell. They took over what used to be Bica Cafe and Bistro over a year ago and have changed a lot in that time.

Like many businesses, coronavirus has been a big challenge for Option Ve. It was difficult timing for the cafe, which had been closed for a couple of months to switch from vegetarian to vegan, and reopened just days before lockdown.

Read more:

• Colourful donut shop is a Harrogate ‘hidden gem’
• Knaresborough competition to inspire young chefs
• New bakery to open in Harrogate

Option Ve adapted to offer home deliveries and reopened the doors for a second time this year on July 10.

She wants people to know that vegan food can be more than twigs and leaves.

Claire Beecroft, who is the chef and co-owner of Option Ve, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is going well, really well. We are just getting the word out there that we have gone fully vegan. Coming from a chef’s point of view I have opened my world up in creative ways. It is incredible how you can make pasta, pizza and chocolate brownies in a vegan way that is good for you.”

Food is not the only thing on the menu. When social distancing measures relax, they hope to ramp up their cookery demonstrations, supper clubs and workshops on health and wellbeing.

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series. We are trying to highlight small independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

The Stray Ferret is delighted to announce that legendary Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins, will become… the Stray Foodie!

Frances owned the renowned Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge for 20 years, where she held a Michelin star for 16 of them.

Now Frances is now turning her talent and experience to food reviewing.

From fine-dining restaurants to pop ups, Frances will be visiting all types of catering establishments and writing a review for the Stray Ferret.

Her first review will be published on The Stray Ferret next week on Saturday, September 26.

Frances told The Stray Ferret:

“I would see it as my job to encourage people to stay safe, take care, but at the same time enjoy what is on offer at the moment.

“I’m hoping that [my reviews] will encourage people to visit our industry more and not to be so worried about these times because most people in the hospitality industry are over-cautious now and they care about their customers.

“A friend of mine said to me the other day that he loves reading food reviews because they paint a picture for him, and he feels as if he is there and enjoying it. It also stimulates him to try new dishes at home himself and broadens his horizons, so he absolutely loves them.

“As for business owners, every business wants to be busy; it’s a form of advertising that people will read and see, rather than the establishment just saying they’re the greatest – there’s nothing like word of mouth.

“Also, if somebody builds up a following, a trust, that’s something I have to achieve. I think it’s important that the owners have a confidence in us to want to advertise with us.”

Frances Atkins pictured outside her airstream bus business Paradise Foods.

Frances discusses the possible challenges she may face when writing her reviews.

She said:

“It’s particularly important to give a clear picture of the feeling of the place in the first instance and first impressions. I think it’s important to take a positive view rather than a negative view because everybody’s opinions are always different, and I think during these times it’s very important to produce positive and honest feedback.

“It could be a challenge for me to make sure I don’t let my professionalism interfere with a review on a place that may be structured slightly differently to the way I would run it. Also, not to enjoy myself too much because I’m very good at forgetting when I’m enjoying it – on the other hand, if I am enjoying myself to that degree then that must be a good thing.”

“For me this is an exciting new world, away from the stove – and that’s how I see it. The benefit I see is having a great experience seeing other people’s style and the way people do things.”

“I wouldn’t be criticising; I will be writing about an experience. It’s something that I find exciting because I want to put my experience onto paper.”

After leaving the Yorke Arms, Frances converted an airstream bus into a mobile kitchen business, Paradise Foods, and stationed it at Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall. She was joined by her previous colleagues, John Tulett and Roger Olive.

Are you a restaurant in the Harrogate district – from pop-up to fine dining? Would you like Frances to review your establishment? If so, send her an email to: foodie@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Six further coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district today.

The daily increase takes the total number of cases in the district up to 900, according to Public Health England data.

It comes as North Yorkshire declared a major incident earlier this week due to surge in cases across the county.

Read more:

• A 10pm curfew would be ‘devastating’ for Harrogate bars
• Care home visits to be restricted across Harrogate

County council bosses have also asked care homes to restrict visits due to an increase in covid infections.

Meanwhile, it has been two months since a coronavirus death was last reported at Harrogate District Hospital. The last time a death was reported was on July 19.

Harrogate Borough Council has renewed the sexual entertainment licence of the town’s Kings Club.

Kings Club, on Oxford Street, which is the town’s only strip club, has been given permission to continue topless pole dancing, topless stage strip tease and full nudity lap dancing.

The borough council’s licensing committee met on Wednesday to make the decision.

Councillors dealt with the application in private session. But the authority confirmed that the licence was renewed with conditions.

Read more:

• Daughter of Coach and Horses landlord applies for licence
• Coach and Horses could be in limbo for months

The government closed all clubs in March and has not yet given them the green light to reopen. This licence renewal is a sign that Kings Club is confident in its return after a few difficult months.

When the Kings Club closed it said that it will reopen as soon as possible to “restart the party”. The club added in its announcement:

“We are grateful to the government for the financial support they have so far offered which will soften the financial blow for our staff and management. We look forward to the party of the decade when we return.”

Visits to care homes across the Harrogate District will be restricted after a rise in coronavirus cases.

Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said homes in Harrogate, Scarborough and Selby will be asked to restrict visits for the next seven days.

It follows a rise in cases in North Yorkshire which led to the county declaring a “major incident” earlier this week.

Read more:

• Harrogate Grammar School confirms one of its students has tested positive for coronavirus. 
• Harrogate Ladies College is another school confirming a positive case. 

Mr Webb apologised for the measure, but added it was “necessary” in light of increased cases.

He said in a series of tweets last night:

“Tonight am writing letters to care homes, asking some of them to restrict visiting in some areas because of rising tide of covid cases.

“Please do all you can to prevent the spread of this virus so that care homes don’t have to go into lockdown.

“We are asking care homes in three areas (Harrogate, Selby and Scarborough districts) to restrict care home visiting for the next seven days and will then be reviewed. I am sorry to do this but it is a necessary precaution because of rising covid-19 infections”

Just to clarify: we are asking care homes in 3 areas (Harrogate, Selby and Scarborough districts) to restrict care home visiting for the next 7 days and will then be reviewed. I am sorry to do this but it is a necessary precaution because of rising #COVID19 infections 1/2

— Richard Webb (@RichardWebbNY) September 17, 2020

Mr Webb said the measure would be reviewed after the seven day period.

He added that the county council will set up a task group with care providers, care home residents and the county council to develop a more secure way to enable visits.

A further three schools in Harrogate have reported confirmed cases of coronavirus in their students.

It comes as six new cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district in the last day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 894.

St Aidan’s C of E High School, St John Fisher Catholic High School and Bilton Grange Primary School have all sent confirmation to parents that they are following protocol and a number of students have been asked to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

The headteacher of St John Fisher has confirmed two cases of coronavirus among students. Similarly to the other schools, it has asked other students who had close contact with either of those diagnosed to self-isolate at home.

Mr Mort said:

“Due to the year group bubble arrangement and fixed seating plans which we have in place, we have been able to identify and contact a small number of students who have commenced a self-isolation period of 14 days. This has meant that we have not needed to close a full class/year group bubble. We are working with Public Health England and following all guidance necessary to ensure the school environment is as safe as possible.”

It is understood at least one of the cases relates to a student in the sixth form, which is joint with neighbouring St Aidan’s.

A letter to parents at St Aidan’s said the school was working with Public Health England and had asked some students to stay at home for 14 days. Headteacher Chris Burt said:

“St Aidan’s works alongside St John Fisher in providing the Associated Sixth Form across our schools. We were informed on Wednesday of a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the schools that has resulted in a small number of students having to observe a 14 day isolation period. The schools across the Association continue to work closely with Public Health England and the Local Health Protection Team.

“We wish the student concerned a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming all students involved back to school as soon as possible.”

Just weeks into the new term some students are being sent home again in order to self-isolate.

Read more:

• Harrogate Grammar School confirms one of its students has tested positive for coronavirus. 
• Harrogate Ladies College is another school confirming a positive case. 

Earlier this week, both Harrogate Grammar School and Harrogate Ladies’ College confirmed they had students who had received positive coronavirus tests. Other students in their ‘bubbles’ are now isolating at home for 14 days.

The additional cases in schools come a day after North Yorkshire county council say it has introduced full emergency status as it deals with the rising number of cases in the county.

The authority said the highest numbers of cases are centred around the Harrogate and Selby districts.

A section of Cambridge Street in Harrogate has been replaced with tarmac after emergency repairs to a burst water main earlier this week.

Yorkshire Water said the pipes burst in the early hours of Tuesday morning and repairs were finished by Tuesday lunchtime with “minimal disruption” to customers.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson told the Stray Ferret that the street will return to its normal state soon.

“We have repaired the surface on a temporary basis, in order to allow it to reopen for access. We are liaising with NYCC Highways and will be returning to site to reinstate fully once the correct materials are available.”

Read more:

• Yorkshire Water launches affordable scheme for young farmers

• Coronavirus backlog sees roadworks double in Harrogate district